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Monday, November 1, 2010

Lake Okeechobee & Huntin' Gators

Adventure day one of vacation brought Nan, Gramp, Adam and I to the areas surrounding the largest lake in the state of Florida and the second largest freshwater lake in the continental US, Lake Okeechobee. The name is derived from Seminole Indian words meaning 'big water". Our first two stops on this road trip were in Indiantown at the Seminole Inn and then the Indiantown Marina on a hunt for Alligators.No gators at the marina, the hunt continued at the Port Mayaca Lock & Dam. (The Okeechobee waterway, leads into the lake.) We spotted one gator with the binoculars, to far away to get on camera, but still an exiting find! Our drive continued to where sugar cane fields line the roads opposite the lake, through the small towns of Bell Glade and Pahokee.As Grampy says, it is a different part of the state, (that most don't get to experience.) It is certainly not your typical picture of Florida with white sandy beaches and teal ocean waters. I took a lot in on that drive and will definitely remember our time spent traveling through these inland (and relatively poor) towns. Next up was the Roland Martin Marina Tiki Bar in Clewiston for a late lunch and some tropical drinks. The Tiki Bar and marina are actually part of a Bass Fishing resort. Lake Okeechobee is known for its plentiful bass population and attracting sport fisherman.As displayed by yours truly in the above photo. We had fun exploring the grounds and posing with the tiki statues. I was into all the fun beer advertisements and slogans hanging from the rafters. Above is a view of the waterway / canal that the bar looks out over.Time for drinks! The menu lists a plethora of tropical themed cocktails and daiquiris served in take home souvenir cups, or coconuts, or fish bowls.I went for the Gator Bitewhich is described on the menu asvodka fermenting in pineapple chunks, coconut rum , pineapple juice, cranberry juice and garnished with a cherry and a fermented pineapple chunk. Well then!We shared a basket of Jalapeno Poppers to start, which were fantastic. I love a good batch of these guys, crispy on the outside, creamy and spicy on the inside. I ordered a basket of the Catfish Fingers which came with fries, hush puppies and coleslaw.This lunch of flaky battered fish and warm crispy fried cornmeal hit the spot!